Steering-post control



D. A. BOSWELL STEERING PQST CONTROL Filed Jan. 28, 1924 INVENTOR. D17 V/O H.505WEAL iii Patented Jan. 13, 1925,

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

DAVID A. BOSWELL, F INDIANAI?OLIS, INDIANA.

STEERING-POST GDNTROL.

Application filed January 28, 1924. Serial No. 688,989.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID A. BoswnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county State of Indiana, tul Improvements in of which the following is a This invent-ion relates to steering of Marion and have invented new and use- Steering-Post Controls,

specification.

post controls and is an improvement over my prior Patent No. 1,389,620, dated September sixth,

1921, and one feature of the invention is the provision of members for the steering posts of autom ranglng said members that cooperation with obiles, and so arany vibration or lateral swinging movement of the front wheels of the vehicle will be directed against and practically assimilated sociated with said member A further feature constructing said members readily and quickly mounte ing post without removing from its bearings.

by a sprlng asof the invention is in so that they may be d upon the steerthe steering post with the post, while the provided with means against rotation.

A further feature of the provision of substantially spiral cams other member is for holding the same invention is the screw-shaped or at the meeting ends of the members whereby the stationary member will be moved away from the clamped member when the steering post is rotated, while the contour of said. cams together with the tension of the spring associated with the memhere will normally resist any rotating action of the steering post, and

A further feature of the invention is the provision of means sion of the sprmg for regulating the ten connecting the members associated with the steering post.

()ther objects and advantages will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specification.

1n the accompanying pointed out In the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this applic ation,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a steering post showing the control attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the stationary member of the control showing the manner of holding the same ag alnst rotation.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the clamping member of the control, and

Figure at is a side elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a steering post, in this instance of the Ford type, upon which is mounted a steering control 2, combining a stationary member 3, and a clamping member l, each member being constructed in two sections and having cooperating ears 5 and 6 respectively, for the reception of bolts 7 and 8, and by means of which the respective sections of the members are secured together. The sections forming the member l are so arranged that they will bind on the steering post 1, so that when the sections are properly clamped together, the member 4 will be held in fixed relation with the steering post and rotate therewith.

The stationary member 3 is provided with an arm 9, the lower end of which has a substantially swivel connection with a link 10, one end of the link being pivot-ally connected with one rail 11 of the vehicle frame, the link holding the member 3 against rotation, while at the same time permitting the stationary member to move lengthwise of the steering post 1.

The meeting ends of the members 3 and 4: are provided with cam faces 12 and 13 respectively, said cam faces being substantially screw-shaped or spiral whereby. when the steering post 1 is rotated in either direction, the cam faces will act similar to screw threads and move the member 3 away from the member 4: or longitudinally of the steering post 1. The cam face of one section of each member is constructed in direct opposition to the trend of the cam face on the other section of the same member, whereby the cam action will function when the steering post is turned in either direction. To set up a resistance between the cam faces 12 and 13, whereby any casual rotation of the steering post 1, incident to the swinging action of the front wheels will be resisted, the members 3 and l are provided respectively with integral posts 14 and 15, between which is disposed a tension spring 16, one end of the spring being looped around the post 15, while the opposite end of the spring is connected with the hook end 17 of an adjusting bolt 18, said bolt being extended through the upper end of the post it and having a wing nut 19 threaded thereon for adjusting of their true line of travel, the tension of the spring, together with the cam faces, will instantly return the wheels to their truealignment as soon as the obstruction is passed. I

It will likewise be seen that, when the steering wheel is operated to change the course of the front wheels of the vehicle, the post 15 will be swung laterally thereby increasing the tension of the spring 16 as is likewise true when the wheels strike an obstruction and are turned out of their true line of travel, consequently the tension of such spring will exert a more or less lateral. pull on the post 15 and result in returning the steering post and parts associated therewith to their normal positions. Consequently the difficulties of guiding and maintaining the vehicle in a substantially straight line of travel will be practically overcome, and the attention of the driver required for steering only in the event it is necessary to change the course of travel of the vehicle.

It will further be seen that, by forming the members constituting the control, in sections and securing them together by means of belts or other convenient devices, the control may be quickly and easily attached to the steering post without releasing the post from its bearings or in any manner disturbing the position of the same.

What I claim is 1. In a steering post control, the combination with a steerlng post, of a stationary member and a'clampmg member surrounding said post, each member being formed in companion sections, means for securing the sections of each member together, a spring connecting the stationary and clamping members, and means for exerting a tension on said spring when rotating action is imparted to the steering post.

2. In a steering post control, the combination with a steering post, of a two-part member fixed to said steering post, a similar member longitudinally movable of the post, means for holding the latter member against rotation, interfitting spiral-shaped cams on the meeting ends of said members, a post extending from each of'said members, and a spring having its ends connected to said posts for maintaining a constant friction between saidcams. V

3. In a steering post control, the combination with a steering post, of a pair of cooperating members mounted on said post, and substantially spiral or screw-shaped cooperating cam faces at the meeting ends of said members. 7

4. In a steering post control, the combination with a steering post, of a member clamped thereon, an additional member movable longitudinally of the steering post, and non-rotatable thereon, interfitting cam faces at the meeting ends of said members, a spring connecting said members, and means for regulating the tension of said spring.

5. In a steering post control, the combination with a steering post, of controlling members associated with said steering post, said members each being formed in sections, means for securing the sections of each member together, and cooperating cam faces on the meeting ends of said members of a substantially screw-shaped formation, the trend of the cam face on one-half of each member being opposed to the trend of the cam face on the other section of the same member.

In testimony whereof I hereto aifix my signature.

DAVID A. BOSWELL 

